Young men in a hurry

READY TO TAKE THE SHINE OFF THE BIG BOYS…. Seven young men from the US competing in the Jayco Herald Sun Tour, from left, Tyler Stites, Conor Schunk, Aiden McNeil, Sean McElroy, Scott McGill, Cade Bickmore, Charles-Étienne Chrétien. Photo: Katelyn Morse
READY TO TAKE THE SHINE OFF THE BIG BOYS…. Seven young men from the US competing in the Jayco Herald Sun Tour, from left, Tyler Stites, Conor Schunk, Aiden McNeil, Sean McElroy, Scott McGill, Cade Bickmore, Charles-Étienne Chrétien. Photo: Katelyn Morse

Australia has a number of iconic sporting events that take place in Victoria each year. The AFL Grand Final, the Melbourne Cup and the Sun Tour as it was originally known, now the Jayco Herald Sun Tour.

For six young men from the US and one from Canada, all under 23 and currently taking a sabbatical away from their studies and the cold northern hemisphere weather, it offers them the chance to compete against some of the best cyclists in the world.

The race is conducted over five stages covering 627km going from the flat country around the Goulburn Valley to a stage that will see them ascend the heights of Mt Buller in a gruelling exercise of endurance.

The finish line in Welsford Street promises to be a hive of excitement as the peloton races down the home straight along the Causeway to finish there.

Greater Shepparton City Council have been working overtime to put the town on the international map with the BMX championships over the weekend and now the Jayco Herald Sun Tour within the same timeframe.